Obama wants internet speech to be regulated.

In a sweeping keynote speech on the dangers of disinformation, Barack Obama warned that technology corporations must be reined in to combat the "weakening of democratic institutions around the world."

The former president gave his most detailed statements yet about the digital landscape, which he warned is "turbo-charging some of humanity's darkest instincts" while speaking at Stanford University in Silicon Valley.

"The dramatic change in how we communicate and consume information is one of the main factors for the deterioration of democracy," he said.

The speech comes as Obama's post-presidential messaging has been increasingly focused on disinformation and what should be done about big tech's mostly unfettered dominance. He backed up such claims on Thursday, advocating particular legislation.

"Do we let our democracy wither, or do we improve it?" Obama had inquired. "You have a choice."